Some time ago, I picked up a hitchhiker named Pete. He was black, dressed neatly in a suit. He had a lily in his hands and said he was on his way to church about twelve miles (19 kilometres) from his home. His pastor’s wife loved lilies, and it was for her, he told me, beaming and full of the Lord.
As we got to know each other, I
discovered that Pete met the Lord in prison. Since his pastor had supported him
when he needed it most, he felt obligated to support the pastor now, even
though he had to hitchhike to get to church.
He told me that he had been in prison
for breaking and entering and theft. “I used to believe that white people owed
the blacks, so I took from the whites and gave to the poor.”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He
causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the
righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will
you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing the same? And if you greet only
your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)
All over the
world, people of different cultures hate each other. Many blacks and whites
hate one other, as do many people of other cultures. In every country, the
citizens can put their finger on some form of cultural hatred. In some
countries, even people of the same culture but different castes hate each
other.
Sometimes enemies are formed even
though nobody has suffered personal harm. Often, individuals of a particular
race or culture have taken up the offense of others within their own people
group. This seems to be a universal truth.
Cultural hatred is present among
Christians too. Sometimes we suppress or mask it because we know we should love
instead. We don’t want others to know of our hatred, so we hide it. Soon it
becomes evident to those close to us, because one can’t hide one’s true self.
The above words of Jesus can change
our attitude toward other cultures. First He tells us to love our enemies. What
does love mean? Pete, the hitchhiker, had decided that white people were his
enemies and that their so-called riches were due to their privileged position.
His natural reaction was to hurt his enemies by taking what he thought they owed
him.
What made him think white people are
his enemies? What causes any one of us to think that another culture is
inferior or superior to us and therefore our enemies? Isn’t it gossip and
propaganda? Where does this come from? Isn’t it from the father of lies—the
devil? He uses cultural differences as an excuse to sow discord. If we live
according to his lies, we are his children. John 8:44: “You belong
to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He
was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no
truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and
the father of lies.”
Nevertheless,
Jesus said to love your enemies that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
What do we see here? We see a condition. If you want to be sons of your Father
in heaven, you must love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
However, that does not come naturally. It is a choice we make which is
supported by the power of the Lord. It is also important to realize that you
don’t have to like those you love. You don’t have to agree with those you love.
Don Francisco sings, “Love is not a feeling; it’s an act of the will.” Love is
deeds of choice, something we do to bless another, whether we like him or not.
If we wait until we feel good about somebody we don’t like, we will never love.
Love has its rules. 1 Corinthians
13:4-7 reads: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it
does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is
not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres.”
Galatians 5:22 reads: “But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” I once heard it should actually read, “The fruit of
the Spirit is love, which is joy, peace . . . .” Love must be exercised. It
does not come naturally. You don’t have to feel love—just do it.
An extreme example of loving your
enemy is a man visiting his daughter’s rapist in jail on a regular basis,
treating him with special things and thoughts simply for the sake of Jesus and
the salvation of the man’s soul. Do you think it is easy for Father God to make His
sun rise on the evil and on the good, and send rain on the just and on the
unjust scoundrels like
us (Matthew 5:45)? If God was like us, we would have a hard time. Fortunately
for us, He is love.
Hatred is also a temptation to be
resisted. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you
are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it,” (1 Corinthians 10:13). To be continued.
For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.
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